Michael Porter Jr. spent six seasons watching other players take the biggest shots. As the third option behind Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray in Denver, Porter Jr. learned to excel in his role as a catch-and-shoot specialist. Now, with the Brooklyn Nets banking on his potential as their primary scoring threat, Porter Jr. faces the challenge of transforming from role player to star.
How Will Michael Porter Jr. Adapt to Brooklyn’s Expanded Role?
The 27-year-old forward spent the entirety of his NBA career with the Nuggets, where he played an integral part in their 2023 NBA title-winning season. However, his role remained limited to catch-and-shoot specialist throughout his time in Denver.
Recently, an unnamed front office executive from the Nets teased that Porter Jr. could be in scoring title contention in the upcoming season. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez has previously worked with Porter Jr. and has a good idea of how to utilize him.
Porter Jr. is already embracing the challenge with his new team. In his recent blog on YouTube about his first day with the Nets, he shared his feelings about the team and the staff.
“I’m not even going to lie,” Porter Jr. said. “They got me working probably as hard as I’ve ever worked, but I’m making progress. I’m excited, man. This is an amazing opportunity. The staff over here is great. They’re getting me right already.”
“I’m not even gonna lie, they got me working probably as hard as I’ve ever worked.”
Michael Porter Jr. after his FIRST workout with the Nets 😭🔥
(Via curiousmike/YT) pic.twitter.com/KOC6kG5dzv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 24, 2025
The revelation has excited fans of Porter Jr. and the Nets. “Hard work isn’t new, it’s survival. Michael’s just catching up to his own standards,” one fan said.
Hard work isn’t new, it’s survival.
Michael’s just catching up to his own standards.
— Wealth Lab 🧪 (@Wealth_labz) July 24, 2025
“Michael Porter Jr. finally found a team that can match his work ethic,” another wrote. “Too bad it took leaving Denver, where he was mostly known for his shooting percentages rather than his hustle.”
Michael Porter Jr. finally found a team that can match his work ethic. Too bad it took leaving Denver, where he was mostly known for his shooting percentages rather than his hustle
— Bad Sarcasm (@Badsarcas) July 24, 2025
“23ppg next season,” one user gave a prediction.
“Bros going to be dropping 35 a game on a 20 win team,” another gave a sarcastic prediction.
However, there were fans who criticized Porter Jr. “All that work for playins. He should’ve worked this hard on his own on a Nuggets championship team. Maybe they would’ve kept him then,” one remarked.
All that work for playins. He should’ve worked this hard on his own on a Nuggets championship team. Maybe they would’ve kept him then.
— pawellwitt (@pawellwitt) July 24, 2025
“Bro just found out Brooklyn don’t do that ‘vibes-only’ Denver conditioning,” one fan observed.
What Challenges Could Porter Jr. Face in Brooklyn?
Despite the high expectations set on Porter Jr., the Nets don’t seem like a team that can offer a long-term future. Brooklyn is focused on accumulating assets, and Porter Jr. is potentially a player to keep fans engaged until they finish the rebuild.
One reason the Nuggets traded him was due to his defensive shortcomings. The Nets need Porter Jr. to be a complete player, and he will need to improve on the other side of the court. With Brooklyn, he is a max-contract player on a rebuilding team. The expectations are to provide star-level numbers. Failure to do so will affect his trade value and role.
Additionally, the Nets have a young roster with limited playmaking. He will struggle with efficiency unless Porter Jr. adapts to create his own shots.
